Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, & General Reference

Click on the name of a database to go to it. All databases are available both in and outside of the library except as noted; if you're outside the library, all databases require a library card number except as noted.

In addition to searching the databases individually, you can use the Ohio Web Library to search all the statewide information databases using a single interface. Note: This does not search the databases which are provided by Cuyahoga Falls Library.

Oxford Reference Online
Oxford Reference Online brings you over 100 dictionary, language reference, and subject reference works published by Oxford University Press. It is a fully-indexed, cross-searchable database of these books. Included are dictionaries of English, abbreviations, rhymes, English usage and style, and slang, as well as an encyclopedia, maps and illustrations, and resources for finding information in many subjects including art and architecture, food and drink, science and math, and many other areas.

World Book Online
World Book Online is much more than just a computerized encyclopedia. Resources for kids include a dictionary, an encyclopedia, games, activities, science projects, and more. For students, the Info Finder has research tools, science projects, biographies, current events, and newspapers, in addition to encyclopedia articles. For adults, the Reference Center includes an encyclopedia, a dictionary, a guide to doing research, computer and web tutorials, "how to" resources such as understanding health and medical insurance, government resources, , and more. There are even resources in Spanish for kids and adults, and resources in French for kids.